The SKYDECK

• The Sears Tower SKYDECK observation deck is located on the 103rd floor of the tower. It is 1,353 feet (412 m) above ground and is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Chicago. The Skydeck was opened on June 22, 1974.

• Tourists can experience how the building sways on a windy day. On a clear day, one can enjoy the panoramic view till 40-50 miles -- the city of Chicago, Michigan, Indiana and Wisconsin.

• It takes about 45 seconds to soar to the top in either of two special elevators. The Sears Tower SKYDECK competes with the John Hancock Center's observation floor a mile and a half away, which is 323 feet (98 m) lower.

• A second SKYDECK on the 99th floor is used when the 103rd floor is closed.

• The view from the Skydeck is absolutely breathtaking.For your enjoyment on the way up, the elevators are equipped with 50-inch flat screen monitors that make you feel like you're blasting off through the top of the Sears Tower and into space - with views of the earth compliments of NASA and the Space Shuttle Endeavor.
  

FEATURES OF THE SKYDECK:

• Interactive Chicago history exhibits
• Multi-language (English, French, German, Japanese, Polish and Spanish) kiosks that guide you through a tour of Chicago landmarks
• Knee-High Chicago, a "kid-level" display that teaches kids about Chicago sports and history
• High-powered telescopes

Sheer Amazing Facts about the Sears Tower

• At first, the Sears Tower was going to be two twin towers occupying the site at half the height of the current tower.




• The building has been climbed up twice, by Dan Goodwin in 1981 and by Alain Robert in 1999.




• The Sears Tower contains enough concrete to build an eight-lane, five-mile-long highway, enough steel to build 50,000 automobiles, and enough telephone wiring to wrap around the world 1.75 times.




• Sears is no longer headquartered in this building, having sold the building and moved out to Hoffman Estates, Illinois in 1992.




• On a clear day, you can see four states -- Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, and Michigan -- from the Sears Tower Visitor Skydeck.




• The building leans about 4 inches (10 cm) from vertical due to its slightly asymmetrical design, placing unequal loads on its foundation. This can occasionally be felt.




• The antennas atop the Sears Tower are struck by lightning an average of 650-675 times per year.




• The restrooms on the 103rd floor sky deck 1,353 feet (412 m) above street level are the highest in the world